updated 08:30 am EST, Fri December 30, 2011

Google lets dummy Siri apps slip through

Google has let through a pair of fake Siri apps. Both Siri for Android (Android Market) and Speerit (Android Market) both steal Apple's icon and, in the case of Speerit, try to clone Siri's interface. The currently Korean-only app claims to have "real" Siri, although the differing results on the weather widget suggest it's not actually asking Apple's servers.

Siri for Android, meanwhile, is blunt in the description and reveals that it's just a shortcut for Google's Voice Actions, with the same much more constrained syntax. At least some have been taken by the app, however, including one who unintentionally commented on the limited state of Google's voice commands on the assumption the 'app' was an unfinished Siri port.

"Surprisingly decent," said the reviewer, Cody. "Needs some work but a awesome [sic] start!"

The presences both emphasize a mounting problem with Google's attitude towards app approvals. Its policy has usually been to apply very few if any checks to apps before they go live, allowing apps that clearly copy someone else's work. Android Market has recently been home to scam game developers and occasional malware apps that stayed active for days before Google took them down, possibly leading to thousands of frauds and infections.

Apple so far has no intention of officially porting Siri to other platforms and itself has a much more active approval process that so far has kept out clearly imitative material. Its policies are sometimes considered over-aggressive but have kept app risks mostly to those using jailbreaks and bypassing Apple's usual security. [viaThe Next Web]

fear-mongering

In reality, this article is just more of the same baseless noise that's become far too common on this site recently (witness the "twittergate" non-story). The Siri name and icon are registered trademarks of Apple. If Apple wants these apps removed, they can contact Google and have them pulled. This process has been in place for quite some time; contrary to the article, it's not mounting evidence of anything.

The bit about malware is just pure fearmongering. There is no evidence presented in this article or the source that leads one to think these apps have malware. According to reports, approximately 0.04% of apps in the Market are malware[1]. But, of course, Apple fanboys have to keep people afraid of using Android by hyping up the malware fear factor, and so we see insipid prattle like this article baselessly trying to scare people.

Fanbois don't even care about

about what happens with Android users who are just looking for cheap smartphones that have pilfered code. Google is just too lazy to check over posted apps and the poor consumers get screwed over with stolen and malware apps. Of course, there are going to be thousands of users' smartphones getting infected from malware. That's what open is all about. Open to all sorts of malicious c***.

Imagine trying to clone Siri on Android. Those S. Koreans are really skillful when it comes to rip-offs of anything Apple.

re: iphonerulez

Actually, I think Apple fans really do care about Android -- why else would so many Apple news sites spend so much time bashing it daily? Frankly, I think it smacks of immaturity and insecurity.

As to your malware claims -- those are just a slur. Where is your evidence for a major malware problem on Android? A tiny fraction of 1% of apps are alleged to be malware. Where is the evidence of major waves of malware infection? I'd love to see actual reports -- not just unsubstantiated claims.

...

To DerekMorr

South Korea is a nation (with laws and culture) ... Not a race.
Koreans are a race so of the article had said Koreans or Asians then your racist remark might have a leg to stand on but as it is you threw in that slur because you ran out of meaningful things to say...hoe sad.